The Pennsylvania Industry Partnership Grant is an initiative announced by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry. This grant aims to support Industry Partnership initiatives throughout Pennsylvania by addressing the workforce, education, training, and economic development needs of businesses and workers within specific priority industry sectors. The grant encourages the formation of regional teams to coordinate efforts that meet industry needs, identify public and community resources, and foster collaboration among businesses within targeted sectors.

The primary purpose of the Pennsylvania Industry Partnership Grant is to enhance regional collaboration to support business needs within identified industry sectors. Applicants are required to develop a comprehensive plan that evaluates the effectiveness of their proposed strategies in addressing the priorities identified by businesses. The overarching goals of the program include eliminating silos in local, regional, and state initiatives, increasing economic opportunities for all Pennsylvania residents, particularly those from underserved communities, and fostering connections among priority industries.

Funding for the grant ranges from $250,000 to $400,000, although the Department of Labor and Industry may award lesser amounts based on the applications received. The funds can be utilized to support various initiatives that align with the goals of the grant, including workforce development, education, and economic growth strategies. Importantly, there is no matching requirement for applicants.

Eligible applicants for this grant include local workforce development boards, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, educational institutions, labor organizations, business associations, and economic development entities. These organizations must demonstrate the ability to collaborate with employer partners within the priority industry sector they aim to serve. If the applicant is not a local workforce development board, they must provide a letter of support from the relevant local board to show cooperation.

The submission requirements for the grant include a detailed project design and implementation plan, a budget management strategy, and a method for collecting and reporting performance outcomes. Applicants will need to answer specific questions related to their proposed initiatives, including how they plan to evaluate their effectiveness and the partnerships they will establish.

Evaluation criteria for the grant will focus on the clarity and feasibility of the proposed strategies, the ability to foster collaboration among stakeholders, and the potential impact on workforce issues. The timeline for applications is open until September 27, 2024, and interested parties are encouraged to submit their proposals before this deadline.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Industry Partnership Grant, including application details and specific requirements, applicants can visit the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry's website. The grant is currently active and accepting applications, providing an opportunity for organizations to contribute to workforce development and economic growth in Pennsylvania.